Perry County Coal Corporation, owned by TECO Coal has announced the layoffs of 156 miners at its Hazard locations. A statement released by the company attributed the layoffs to the struggling coal industry. The statement also detailed how the reduction in miners is taking place to match the expected sales for the upcoming year. The 156 miners released on Friday is the equivalent of 29 percent of the workforce at the Hazard location. A spokesman for the company stated that it was a difficult decision and hopefully only temporary. If the market recovers the miners will be recalled. Perry County Coals. three underground mines will continue to operate with the reduced staff.